Brilliant but temperamental filly Zurella (NZ) will take on the colts in the G1 New Zealand Derby next month after surging home in the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The Zabeel filly will then cross the Tasman for the G1 Storm Queen Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and the G1 AJC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.

But connections first have to find a jockey for her in the NZ Derby.  Rick Williams, the racing manager for Queensland breeder-owner Dick Karreman, said regular rider James McDonald is committed to Silent Achiever (O’Reilly).

Saturday’s win showcased Zurella’s talent and was a welcome return to form for connections following the G2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie last month.  “She was very agitated that day and missed a place for the first time in her career,” Williams explained.  “She was in a good frame of mind today but is still doing a bit wrong.  

“She took a long time down the straight getting on the right leg.  But she won it and that’s the strongest fillies race I’ve seen.  The depth of three-year-old fillies this year is extraordinary.”

Zurella’s fourth dam Shadea (Straight Strike) is the dam of champion galloper and sire Lonhro (Octagonal).  And, as a G2 winning Zabeel filly out of that family, she is already a valuable stud prospect.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie urged racing administrators to consider Group 1 classification for the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic in the future.   “Champion fillies win this race and I really think it’s deserves Group 1 status,” he said.  “Perennially, it’s a strong race than the New Zealand Oaks,.”

Zurella’s win took her to second position in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.  Planet Rock (20 points) heads Zurella (14) and Capital Diamond (12).  The remaining two legs of the 10 race series are the G3 Lowland Stakes on March 3 and the G1 New Zealand Oaks on March 17.